A performance of pungmul (traditional folk music) on May 11 is staged at the square in front of the main gate of Cheong Wa Dae on the second day of the former presidential compound's reopening to the public. (Yonhap News)

By Xu Aiying and Yoon Sojung

Tours of the recently reopened Cheong Wa Dae site will be extended to June 11, three weeks later than the original ending date of May 22.

The presidential office on May 12 said the tour period at the former presidential compound was extended to June 11, with reservations to close on June 2.

Thus people can apply to go on the tours from May 22 to June 11.

The operating hours and daily number of visitors will remain the same at one tour every two hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a maximum of 6,500 people at one time and 39,000 per day.

Applications to visit can be made in three categories: individuals (up to four people), groups (30-50), and senior citizens and disabled people (maximum four). People can choose the day and time they wish to visit.

An application can be filed on the official website of Cheong Wa Dae's reopening (www.opencheongwadae.kr) via smart devices and the apps Naver, Kakao Talk and Toss. Those approved and their companions can enter the venue by presenting notification messages on the relevant tour date. 

In addition, the holding of "KBS Open Concert" on May 22 will see tour applications available only through the Naver or Toss apps and just two tours in the morning.

The presidential office said the number of people who applied for the tours since April 27 at 10 a.m. was 2,312,740 as of May 12 at midnight.

xuaiy@korea.kr